OWEN Garvan has given his backing for Joe Royle to become the sixth Ipswich Town boss to become an international manager.With George Burley now confirmed as the new Scotland manager and following Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson into international management, Royle is a candidate for the Republic of Ireland job.

Derek Davis

OWEN Garvan has given his backing for Joe Royle to become the sixth Ipswich Town boss to become an international manager.

With George Burley now confirmed as the new Scotland manager and following Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson into international management, Royle is a candidate for the Republic of Ireland job.

Bryan Hamilton and Frank Yallop have also managed Northern Ireland and Canada respectively.

While The Blues and Republic of Ireland Under 21 midfielder would prefer to see an Irishman as the next manager of his country, Royle would be Garvan's first choice 'foreign' appointment.

Garvan said: “There are a few names in the hat and I'm not sure who will get the job. It could be a fair while before it is decided so we have to wait and see.

“I would personally prefer an Irish manager. David O'Leary's name was linked to the job a while ago and maybe he just got frustrated at waiting.

“If it were to be an Englishman, then for me it would be Joe Royle. He was great when he was here at Ipswich and very good for me.

“So if he got the job it would be great for the Ipswich lads who are Irish and there are a few of us here.”

Alan Quinn's arrival at Portman Road takes the number of Town players who qualify for the Republic to six with Alan Lee and Alex Bruce already capped at senior level. Jon Walters has played in the B side, while Shane Supple and Billy Clarke have played for the Under 21s along with Garvan.

Dubliner Garvan is desperate to play more games for Given and progress his international career.

He said: “My next aim to stay in the Ireland Under-21s and play in February and March.

“It is a massive thing for me. To pull on the green shirt gives me immense pride and it is all I wanted to do since a young lad.”

The trio charged with recruiting Steve Staunton's successor as Republic of Ireland boss have made "positive engagement with a significant number of candidates", according to the Football Association of Ireland.

The governing body last night insisted they are confident a new national team manager will be appointed "in the near future' after meeting with Don Givens, one of a three-man recruitment panel.

The FAI spoke to Under-21 boss Givens - who along with Don Howe and Ray Houghton will recommend a suitable candidate - for the first time since the selection panel was appointed.

An FAI spokesman said: “Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Don Howe and Ray Houghton, Don Givens gave the 10 board members an outline of the process to date.

"This was the first report to the board since the selection panel was appointed and mandated.

"The board is satisfied that significant progress has been made but understands that more time is required before the panel return with a recommendation.

"The board accepted that there had been positive engagement with a significant number of candidates.

"The board is confident that the search for a new manager for the Republic of Ireland senior team will be concluded in the near future.”